JP3101288B2 - Printing device and print control device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus such as a laser printer, and more particularly to a printing apparatus capable of printing at a plurality of resolutions and a printing control apparatus for controlling the printing apparatus. .

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, this type of printing apparatus incorporates a first control program for making full use of its functions when the functions of the printing mechanism are enhanced. With such a control program, a printing operation is performed based on a command output from a host computer or the like.

Also, a removable program storage medium is prepared, a second control program for performing an operation different from the first control program is inserted into the program storage medium, and the program can be switched to the first control program and used. Often. In particular, the second control program emulates a command system of another existing printing apparatus as a command system different from that of the first control program, and uses an existing application on the host computer side to which the printing apparatus is connected. The program can be used without modification. Thereby, the first
The new control program has a new high-function type command system, and the second control program has a low-function but conventionally used command system.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above conventional example, the printing resolution of the printing apparatus and the printing apparatus to be emulated by the control program are often different. In particular, when a high-performance type laser beam printer or the like emulates a low-function, low-cost type serial printer, the difference in resolution is remarkable. In such a case, a large amount of processing time is required because the resolution of image data and external character patterns corresponding to the resolution of the printing apparatus to be emulated is corrected by data processing on the control program side. In addition, an image of a printing device that is originally high in resolution may be deteriorated due to resolution correction, compared to an image of a printing device to be emulated having a low resolution.

Further, as the printing resolution increases, the capacity of the memory increases, leading to a significant increase in cost. Therefore, normal printing is performed at a general resolution by the built-in relatively low-function first control program, and high-quality printing is performed by the provided second control program.
In some cases, a system having a configuration in which the resolution is increased is constructed. However, even if such low / medium resolution and high resolution are properly used, the printing operation must be performed by a control program corresponding to a predetermined command system in response to a command from a host computer or the like. The problem described above is not solved.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and to provide a printing apparatus capable of performing high-quality and high-speed printing by switching resolutions according to each of a plurality of control programs.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems]

According to the present invention, in a print control device that controls a print mechanism that can print at a plurality of resolutions, each of the print control devices corresponds to a different command system and controls the operation of the print mechanism based on a command from a host computer. Types of control means, and one of the plurality of types of control means
Selection means for selecting one of the plurality of types, each of the plurality of types of control means includes setting means for switching and setting a plurality of resolutions, and the setting means provided in the control means selected by the selection means comprises By setting the resolution in the printing process in the mechanism section, the plurality of control units can independently switch the printing resolution.

According to the present invention, for example, when emulating various printing apparatuses, it is possible to select an appropriate resolution for the printing apparatus to be emulated, and to select a resolution by a command from the host computer. If there is a command system that allows specification of such a command system, such a command system can be emulated.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a control unit 10 of the laser beam printer according to the embodiment.
It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of 0.

In the figure, reference numeral 102 denotes a host computer serving as a data generation source, and 101 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire apparatus. 103
Inputs data from the host computer 102 to the input signal line S.
₁ is an input interface circuit for inputting via ₁ . Input In Tough Ace circuit 103, also in accordance with an instruction of the CPU 101, the Busy signal line S ₂ and ON / OFF, the host computer 102
To inform the user that data transmission is impossible / possible. Reference numeral 104 denotes a ROM for storing a control program and a character pattern of the laser beam printer.
The flow of the control program shown in FIG.
This is shown in FIGS. 11, 11 and 12.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a RAM used when executing a control program (FIGS. 10 to 14) to be described later.
It will be described later in the figure). Reference numeral 106 denotes a nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM), which is configured by, for example, a general EEPROM, and after power-off,
Information to be stored is stored (the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 7). 107 is a RAM card for extension, and RAM 105
Used as an extension for.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a cartridge interface circuit that provides a hardware interface with the program cartridge 109 and the program cartridge 110.
ROMs 129, 13 in program cartridges 109, 110 from
Control access to 0. This program cartridge 1
Reference numerals 09 and 110 respectively denote ROM boards 129 and 130 and ROM elements composed of related elements housed in a cartridge. In ROM129,130 in this program cartridge 109,110,
A control program and a character pattern different from the control program stored in the ROM 104 are stored, respectively. The storage format is shown in FIG. 2, and the flow of the control program will be described later with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 15, the program cartridges 109 and 110 can be attached to and detached from the main body by two left and right cartridge connectors 1501 and 1502 whose main bodies are provided in the beam printer main body. In FIG. 15, the program cartridge 109 is attached to the left cartridge connector 1501, and the program cartridge 110 is attached to the right cartridge connector 1502. 111 (FIG. 1) converts the signal to the operation panel 112 to CP
This is a panel interface circuit for inputting and outputting to and from U101.
The PU 101 turns on an LED on the operation panel 112 and senses a switch.

An image signal generator 113 converts image data for one page developed on a page buffer, which will be described later, into an image signal. The image signal generator 113 synchronizes with a synchronization signal from the printing mechanism unit 115,
The image signal is output to the printing mechanism 115. The image signal generator 113 includes three types of crystal oscillators individually corresponding to a plurality of types of printing resolutions (for example, 180 Dpi, 240 Dpi, and 400 Dpi) of a printing mechanism 115 described later, and an image clock corresponding to each resolution. A signal is generated, and the image signal is sent to the printing mechanism 115 in synchronization with the signal. The selection of these three types of image clock signals is performed as described later.

An output interface circuit 114 performs input and output between the control unit 100 and the printing mechanism unit 115. Printing mechanism 115
Receives the image signal, feeds paper, generates laser light,
A series of printing processes of a laser beam printer, such as transfer and fixing of an image to paper, are realized. Main printing mechanism 115
Is controlled by the CPU 101.

Receives resolution switching signal 116, 180Dpi, 240DPpi, 400Dpi
The printing operation is performed by switching the three types of printing resolutions.

FIG. 16 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the printing mechanism 115. The printing mechanism 115 will be described below.

The image signal generated by the image signal generator 113 in the control unit 100 is input to the laser driver 1601 via the output interface circuit 114.

The laser driver 1601 is a circuit for controlling the driving of the semiconductor laser 1602, and switches on / off a laser beam 1603 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1602 according to an input image signal. The laser light 1603 is swung right and left by the rotating polygon mirror 1604 and is irradiated on the electrostatic drum 1605.
A latent image of a character pattern is formed on 05. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1606 around the electrostatic drum 1605 and then transferred to a sheet. Cut sheets are used as the sheets, and the cut sheets are stored in a sheet cassette 1607 mounted on the printing mechanism 115, and the sheet feed roller 1608 and the transport roller
At 1609, it is taken into the device and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1605. The sheet on which the image pattern has been transferred is discharged onto a discharge tray 1611 after the pattern image is fixed by the fixing unit 1610.

The printing mechanism 115 changes the rotation speed of the rotary polygon mirror 1604 according to the resolution switching signal 116, and switches the frequency of the above-described image clock signal to turn on / off the laser light 1603.
By changing the FF cycle, the dot density, that is, the resolution, of the latent image formed on the electrostatic drum 1605 is changed.

With this configuration, the printer prepares three different control programs, a control program on the ROM 104 and a control program on the program cartridges 109 and 110, and switches one of the three control programs. Each control program has means that can independently select three types of printing resolutions of the printing mechanism unit 115. FIG. 2 shows a ROM 104 for storing a control program and a program cartridge 10.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a storage format of ROMs 129 and 130 on 9 and 110.
Thereafter, the control program originally contained in the printer and stored in the ROM 104 is referred to as a main program, and the control programs stored in the detachable program cartridges 109 and 110 are collectively referred to as a cartridge program and a program stored in the program cartridge 109. Is called a cartridge program A, and what is stored in the program cartridge 110 is called a cartridge program B.

200 (FIG. 2 (1)) shows the storage format of the main program. 201, an interrupt vector of CPU 101, the address a ₀ ~a _n address is stored. CPU101 is 0
From the address, the stack pointer initial address a ₀ ,
Program start address a ₁ address, to access the various interrupt start address a ₂ ~a _n address. a ₂ ~a _n address is, RA
It is allocated to the area in order from the top of M105.

Reference numeral 202 denotes an identification name of the main program, and a unique two-digit number is assigned to each control program. This is called a “program ID”.

203 is a main body program re-start address storage area, the car Toritsuji program jump instruction when switched to the main program (jump to restart address b ₁ address) is housed. Main address storage area 20
3 is allocated to b ₀ address is immobilized.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a main body program interrupt vector table. For each type of interrupt,
c _2, c _3, ..., an interrupt processing routine starting from c _n address is prepared, jump instruction to each of the interrupt processing routine on the interrupt vector table 204 are prepared.

205 is an external reference routine call table. This is a program (subroutine) prepared on ROM104
Is provided so that a cartridge program can be used by calling it. In the present embodiment, a subroutine for writing to and reading from the NVRAM 106 is prepared.

In this table 205, 206 is an area that contains the jump destination e ₁ address to the NVRAM writing routine 212, are immobilized allocated to address ₁ d. 207 is a region that contains the jump destination e ₂ address to the NVRAM reading routine 213, are immobilized allocated to d ₂ address. 208 for the NVRAM 106 writing routine 212 or the read routine 213, in which an instruction address of the writing or reading of the NVRAM 106, the contents of the address e ₃ on RAM104 written in the area 208, i.e. NVRAM designated address Is the designated write (read) address. Likewise
209 is an NVRAM write routine 212 or a read routine 2
13 gives a writing value or the contents of the address e ₄ on RAM104 written in the area 209 in which specifies the area of for receiving a read value, that is, NVRAM set value becomes the value. 210 is the total number (k bytes) of the RAM area used by the NVRAM write routine 212 and the NVRAM read routine 213.
Starting from the NVRAM designated address area on the RAM 105, k bytes are prepared for NVRAM writing and reading, and this area is used for the main program and cartridge program use RA.
It is used separately from the M region.

 Reference numeral 211 denotes a storage area for a main body program described later.

212 is one of the above-mentioned external reference routines, NVRAM
A storage area for a write routine, and 213, a storage area for an NVRAM read routine.

Reference numeral 214 denotes a font area that stores a dot pattern group of characters corresponding to the character code input from the host computer 102. In the font area 214, reference numeral 215 denotes a font identification code, reference numeral 216 denotes an area for storing a font capacity m representing the total capacity of the font area 214, and reference numeral 217 denotes a character pattern area for storing the actual character dot pattern.

In the storage format 200 described above, 201 to 205 are assigned to fixed addresses starting from address 0 on the ROM 104. The cartridge program includes a main program 211, an external reference routine 212,
213 is indirectly referenced from the contents of the address defined fixedly. Therefore, 211
Even if the contents of the following areas are changed and the address on the ROM 104 is shifted, the contents of the areas 210 to 205 correspond to the change, so that the cartridge program side is not affected.

Reference numeral 250 (FIG. 2 (2)) shows the storage format of the cartridge program. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 251 denotes a cartridge identification area, the details of which are shown in FIG. Main area 25
Reference numeral 1 denotes a 4-byte structure. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a cartridge type area.
Stored in code. 'P' indicates that the following area is a cartridge program, and 'F' indicates that the following area is a font (character pattern) area. 302
Is a cartridge subtype, a cartridge type
When 301 is 'P', one of 'L', 'R', and 'B' is entered. 'L' indicates a cartridge program dedicated to the program cartridge 109, and 'R' indicates a cartridge program dedicated to the program cartridge 110. 'B' stands for Program Cartridge 10
Indicates that this is a cartridge program shared by 9,110. As shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later, since the address area is different between the program cartridges 109 and 110, a cartridge program usable in each area is identified by the cartridge subtype 302. 'B' is applied to, for example, the ROM area of the cartridge program, which is entirely described by relative addresses and does not depend on the address area.

When the cartridge type 301 is “F”, the cartridge subtype 302 is used as an identifier as a font small classification.

In the present embodiment, for the cartridge subtype 302, 'A' is defined as an identifier representing a font dedicated to the main program, and 'B', 'C', 'D',. Defined as an identifier that indicates a dedicated font. 301 cartridge type, 3
Collectively, the cartridge subtype of 02
Reference numeral 304, which is called an ID code 303, is an identifier uniquely assigned to a cartridge program or font and is represented by a two-digit number. It is called a cartridge ID number 304.

Returning to FIG. 2 (2)), 252 is a Katoritsuji capacity region for storing the total capacity m ₀ car Toritsuji program-related regions 257.

An area 253 stores information named a product conformance flag. The product conformance flag 253 indicates which product (plurality) can be adapted in the series of printers of this series, and as shown in FIG. 4, a 16-bit independent bit unit flag is used. Each bit represents one product (including future products) in the product series, and the bit content '1' is compatible, and '0' is not compatible. The adaptability is determined when the cartridge program is created, depending on the hardware configuration of the control unit 100 of each product and the stored status of the main body program, particularly the external reference routine 205.

A storage area 254 for a cartridge program start address is a jump instruction (start address α ₁₎ for switching from the main program to the cartridge program.
To the address). This storage area 254 is α
_It is allocated to address ₀ and fixed.

Reference numeral 255 denotes an interrupt vector table of the cartridge program, which has a structure similar to that of the above-described interrupt vector table 204 of the main program. On the car Toritsuji program for the various interrupt, respectively, _{β 2, β 3, ...,} β
An interrupt processing routine starting from _n is prepared, and a jump instruction to each interrupt processing routine is prepared on the interrupt vector table 255.

Reference numeral 256 denotes a cartridge program storage area in which a cartridge program described later is stored.

A font area 258 has the same format as the font area 214 described above, and contains a character pattern group for a cartridge program. Reference numeral 259 denotes a cartridge identification code of the font area. The format is the same as that of the cartridge identification area 251 described above. Cartridge ID code 303 as font for cartridge program,
'FB' is appended.

260 is a Katoritsuji capacity storage area to accommodate the total volume m ₁ of font area 258. Reference numeral 261 denotes a character pattern area for storing the main body of the character dot pattern used by the cartridge program.

Reference numeral 262 denotes a font area having the same format as the above-described font area 258. Here, a character pattern group as an additional character set of the main program is stored. Reference numeral 263 denotes the cartridge identification code, to which a cartridge ID code 303'FA 'is attached as a font for the main body program.
264, total capacity m ₂ of storage areas of font area 262, 265
Is a character pattern area.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a data structure on the RAM 105. 501 is a interrupt processing Jiyan flop table to fit a fixed address a ₂ ~a _n on RAM, and copied from the main interrupt vector table 204 on the ROM104 at body program start or restart. Also, when the cartridge program is started, it is copied from the cartridge program interrupt vector table 255 on the program cartridge. CPU interrupt vector 201 is at address a ₂ on RAM 105,
a ₃ ,..., an _n , and as described above, each control program starts (restarts) 50 times.
By rewriting the area 1, the interrupt processing routine of each control program can be used.

Reference numeral 502 denotes a storage area used for storing necessary information when each control program switches to the other control program. The storage area of the main body storage area 503 and the storage area of the cartridge 109 are dedicated to each control program. 50
4. The storage area 505 of the cartridge 110 is prepared. These areas 503 to 505 have fixed addresses f ₁ , f ₂ ,
The f ₃ are immobilized at the top.

Reference numeral 506 denotes an external reference RAM area used by an NVRAM write routine and an NVRAM read routine defined as an external reference routine. The head of this area is used to transfer data between these external reference routines and the control program on the calling side. Reference numeral 507 denotes an NVRAM-specified address area for specifying a read / write address of NVRAM.
This is an NVRAM set value area used for specifying a write value to M or transferring a read value from NVRAM. The addresses e ₃ and e _{4 of the} NVRAM designated address area 507 and the NVRAM set value area 508 are indirectly accessed via the external reference routine call table 205 as described above. 509
Is a working RAM area used internally by the NVRAM write routine and the NVRAM read routine as flags and variables.

Reference numeral 510 denotes a free area, which is used by the control program having the control right of the control unit 100 to execute its own program every time the control program is switched.
RAM areas 511 to 517 in FIG. 5 are examples of the RAM structure. An operation mode table 511 stores the operation mode of the printer designated by the host computer 102 as command data. Here, a selection font 512 for specifying which font of a plurality of font areas prepared on the ROM 104 or the program cartridges 109 and 110 is to be selected to generate a character pattern, and one page of the page created in the page buffer 517 to be described later. A copy number 513 for instructing printing of a plurality of images is prepared. The selection font 512 has an identification code 21 at the head of the font area.
5, 259, 263 are used.

Reference numeral 514 denotes a work area of the control program, in which variables and flags are set. A data flag 515 is set on the work area 514, and indicates whether or not unprinted data remains in a page buffer 517 described later.

Reference numeral 516 denotes a reception buffer, and the host computer 102
The data input from the input interface circuit 103
Is temporarily stored in this area by the reception interrupt processing of the control program.

A page buffer 517 stores bit map image data for one page based on input data from the host computer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the storage area 502 in FIG. 5 and the relationship with the free area 510. The storage area 504 of the cartridge 109 as an example includes the following items. First, reference numeral 601 denotes an area in which the storage area is detachable, and in which a storage ID number indicating which control program of the cartridge program 109 supplied is used is used. For the storage ID number, for example, the cartridge ID number 304
Is used.

An operation mode storage area 602 stores / restores the contents of the operation mode table 511 in the free area 510.

Reference numeral 605 denotes a reception buffer storage area, which is a free area 510.
The receiving buffer 516 in is stored / restored.

FIG. 7 shows the data structure of the NVRAM 106.
NVRAM 106 has a capacity of 16 words (1 word is 16 bits),
Addresses in word units 0, 1,... 15 are respectively assigned.
Reference numeral 701 denotes a program mode area stored in the address 1. The currently running control program or the control program running immediately before the power of the laser beam printer is turned off is the main body program or the cartridge program 109. Or cartridge program 110
Is an area for storing whether or not

In the program mode, the character code 'M' executes the main program, 'L' executes the cartridge program 109, 'R'
Is defined as the execution of the cartridge program 110. The 15th bit of the program mode area 701 is an odd parity bit area 702, which stores the odd parity of the program mode area 701, and is used for error detection during NVRAM read / write.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an address space of the CPU 100. 801
Is the main program area, which is allocated from the address OH ("H" indicates hexadecimal notation) and is physically assigned to ROM1
Corresponds to 04. And the main program storage format 20
Information of the main program is stored in 0 format.

Reference numeral 802 denotes an area for the cartridge 109, which is allocated from address 200000H and physically located in the ROM 12 on the program cartridge 109.
Corresponds to 9. Then, information of the cartridge program A is stored in the format 250 of the cartridge program storage.

Reference numeral 803 denotes an area for the cartridge 110, which is allocated from address 400000H, and is physically located in the ROM on the program cartridge 110.
Corresponds to 130. Then, similarly to the cartridge program A, the information of the cartridge program B is stored in the cartridge program storage format 250.

Reference numeral 804 denotes a ROM area, which is allocated from address 800,000H and physically associated with the RAM 105. Then, the data structure shown in FIG. 5 is applied.

Reference numeral 805 denotes an area for the additional RAM 107, which is allocated from address A00000 and is physically associated with the additional RAM card 107.

Reference numeral 806 denotes an I / O address area to which I / O ports through which the CPU 101 exchanges signals with the input interface circuit 103, panel interface circuit 111, NVRAM 106, and other circuits of the control unit 100 are allocated.

An instruction to select an image clock signal for switching the print resolution to the image signal generator 113 is also issued through the image clock selection port 807 in the I / O port.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a display and a switch arrangement of the operation panel 112, and 901 is a status display composed of a general 7-segment two-digit LED, which is controlled by an instruction of a control program.
The type of the control program currently being executed and the error display when an error occurs are displayed.

Reference numerals 902, 903, and 904 denote program mode switching switches. When a "MAIN" switch 902 is pressed, a switching request to the main body program is issued, when an "L" switch 903 is pressed, a switching request to the cartridge program A is issued, and an "R" switch 904 is pressed. Is a request to switch to the cartridge program B. These switches 902 to 904 are controlled by the CPU 101 by the control program.
These switches are detected by sensing the pressed state, and are executed.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 show flowcharts of the main body program of the laser beam printer having the above configuration, and the operation of the main body laser beam printer when the main body program is executed will be described.

Fig. 10 shows the start processing program of the main program
1000 flow chart, CPU1 when power is turned on
01 is the program start address a ₁ of the CPU interrupt vector 201
See, to jump to the main program to start from the _first address a. Therefore, first, the self-test of the control unit 100 is executed in step 1001, and the storage area 502 is initialized in step 1002, and the external reference RAM area 506 is initialized in step 1003. Next, in step 1004, NVRAM read routine 212
From the program mode area 701 of the NVRAM 106 using
The program mode is read, and in step 1005, it is determined which control program is to be started.

If the program mode is "M" in step 1005, this indicates execution of the main program, so the process proceeds to step 1006 and the subsequent steps to continue the main program. First, in step 1006, the main body interrupt vector table 204 is copied to the interrupt processing jump table 501 on the RAM 105. Next step 1007
Then, the free area 510 is initialized for the main body program.
Then, in step 1008, the Busy signal S2 is turned off to notify the host computer that data transmission is possible, and
In step 1009, a program ID 202 is displayed on the status display unit 901 to indicate that the currently executing control program is the main program.

Next, in the program 1010, the image clock selection port 807
Specify 240Dpi selection and switch the image signal generator to 240Dpi. In step 1011, a switching signal for setting 240 Dpi is transmitted as the resolution switching signal 116, and the printing mechanism 105 is set to perform a printing operation at a printing resolution of 240 Dpi. Then, in step 1012, the flow jumps to the main routine of the main program shown in FIG.

If the program mode is "L" at step 1005, this indicates a request to execute the cartridge program A, so the process proceeds to step 1011. First, the cartridge ID in the cartridge identification area 251 of the program cartridge installed in the cartridge connector 1501 is set. Check code 303. When the cartridge ID card 303 is 'PL', it indicates that this program cartridge has a control program for the program cartridge 109. When the cartridge ID code 303 is 'PB', this program cartridge is a program cartridge. This means that a control program for both the trigs 109 and 110 is provided. Therefore, the cartridge ID code
If 303 is other than 'PL' or 'PB', the transfer to cartridge program A is inappropriate, so the transfer is stopped,
Proceed to step 1006 to continue the main program. If the cartridge ID code 303 is 'PL' or 'PB', it indicates that the cartridge program on the currently installed program cartridge is available. Next, go to step 1012, where another check is performed. The check of the product conformity flag 253, which is a matter, is performed. Check whether the bit flag corresponding to the product model defined in this laser beam printer is standing in the product conformance flag 253, and if it is standing, check the cartridge on the currently installed program cartridge 109. Assuming that Program A is applicable to this laser beam printer,
Proceed to 1013, address 200000 + α on cartridge area 802
₀ That is, jumps to the car Toritsuji program start address storage area 254, the process proceeds to the start process program 1300 of the car Toritsuji program shown in Figure 13 in accordance with the contents, jump instructions to alpha ₁ address.

If the corresponding bit of the product conformance flag 253 is not set in step 1012, this indicates that the cartridge program A cannot be applied to the present laser beam printer. Therefore, the transition to the cartridge program A is interrupted, and steps 1006 to 1006 are executed.
Proceed to continue the main program of 1012.

If the program mode is "R" in step 1005, the execution of the cartridge program B is indicated.
As in the case of the cartridge program A of 1011 to 1013, for the program cartridge attached to the cartridge connector 1502, check the cartridge ID code 303 in step 1014 and check the product compatibility flag 253 in step 1015. Then go to step 1016,
Jump to the address 400000 + alpha ₀ in the area 803 for Katoritsuji 110, control of the CPU101 is passed to the car Toritsuji program B.

FIG. 11 shows the main program start processing 1000 of FIG.
Or, the main body program restart processing 1200 shown in FIG.
This is a flowchart of the main routine 1100 of the main program flying from the main program.

First, in step 1101, the program mode switching switch
Check if any of 902, 903, or 904 was pressed. If none has been pressed, the processing of steps 1101-1108 is repeated and continued. First, in step 1102, it is checked whether there is data in the reception buffer, and the process waits until the input data from the host computer is set in the reception buffer, while performing the switching in step 1101. If there is data in the reception buffer, the process proceeds to step 1103, where the data is extracted from the reception buffer and analyzed. Here, the command or the character code is discriminated. In the case of the font selection command, the specified value is stored in the selection font area 512, and in the case of the copy number specification command, the specified value is stored in the copy number area 513. If it is a character code, proceed to step 1104 to select the font area 51.
The corresponding font area 214 or 265 is selected from the identification code specified in 2, and the corresponding character dot pattern is developed on the page buffer 517, and at the same time, the data flag 515 is turned on and print data exists on the page buffer 517. Is shown. Then, the process proceeds to step 1105, and steps 1101-1105 are repeated until the analysis of the data of one page is completed. When the data analysis for one page is completed, the process proceeds to step 1106, where the image data on the page buffer 517 is sent to the image signal generator 113, and the printing mechanism 115
To print. Then, in step 1107, the number of copies 1106 to 1107 corresponding to the number of copies specified in the number of copies area 513.
Is repeated. When printing of the specified number of sheets is completed, the flow advances to step 1108 to turn off the data flag 515 to indicate that there is no data to be printed on the page buffer 517, and the flow returns to step 1101.

At step 1101, the program mode switch 90
If any of 2, 903 or 904 is pressed, step 1
Proceed to the program switching processing of 109 and below.

First, in step 1109, the Busy signal S2 is turned ON to request the host computer 102 to stop data transmission, so that no more data is sent from the host computer 102. Next, at step 1110, the data flag
Check 515.

If the data flag 515 is ON, since print data remains on the page buffer 517, it is determined that the program cannot be switched, and an error is displayed on the status display 901 in step 1120.
At step 1121, the Busy signal S2 is returned to the original state, and the process returns to step 1101.

If the data flag 515 is OFF, the flow advances to step 1111 to check which program mode switching switch has been pressed. If the “MAIN” switch 902 is pressed, the main unit program is currently being executed, so pressing this switch is invalidated, an error display at step 1120, and an error display at step 1121 are performed.
The process returns to step 1101 via the Busy signal S2 return. "L"
If the switch 903 is pressed, the process proceeds to step 1112, and the procedure for shifting to the cartridge program A is started.

Similarly to the above steps 1011 and 1012, the cartridge ID code 303 of the program cartridge attached to the cartridge connector 1501 is checked at step 1112, and the product conformance flag 253 is checked at step 1113. Go to the operation mode table
The contents of the reception buffer 511 and the reception buffer 516 are copied and stored in the main body storage area 503. Then, in step 1115, 200,000 + α
_To cartridge program A starting via address ₀ , CPU1
Transfer control of 01. If the check is not passed in steps 1112 and 1113, an error is displayed on the status display 901 in step 1120, and in step 1121, the Busy signal S2 is returned and the process returns to step 1101.

If the “R” switch 904 has been pressed in step 1111, the procedure for shifting to the cartridge program B starting from step 1116 is entered. This performs the same processing as the cartridge program A in steps 1112-1115 for the program cartridge attached to the cartridge connector 1502, and checks the cartridge ID code 303 in step 1116 and the product in step 1117. Conformity flag 253
Of a checking, through a storage operation mode table 511 and the receiving buffer 516 to the main body storage area of the step 1118, in step 1119 400000 + alpha ₀ to car Toritsuji program B that starts via address transfer control of the CPU 101.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the restart processing program 1200 of the main program when the control of the CPU 101 is transferred from the cartridge program to the main program.

Re-start, starting from the jump from the car Toritsuji program to the main program b ₀ address. First, the steps
Region of b ₀ in 1201, i.e. with reference to the body program re-start address storage area 203, and jumps to b ₁ address for starting the restart process, executes the re-start process of step 1202 follows.

In step 1202, the interrupt processing jump table 501 into which the interrupt vector table 255 for the cartridge program is currently copied is replaced with the main body interrupt vector table 204.
Then, copy again. Next, at start 1203, the free area 510 used for the cartridge program is re-initialized for the main body program, and at step 1204, the information saved when the previous program was switched from the main body program to the cartridge program (steps 1114 and 1118). ) The body storage area 503
Is copied to a predetermined area of the free area 510.

Next, at step 1205, the Busy signal S2 is turned off to notify the host computer 102 that data transmission is possible, and at step 1206, the program ID 202 is displayed on the status display unit 501.
Notifies that the main program has started running again. In step 1207, 'M' (body program execution) is set as the program mode using the NVRAM write routine,
In step 1208, the image signal generator 113 is stored in the program mode area 701 of the NVRAM 106 in the same manner as in step 1010.
Switch to 40Dpi, at step 1209, like step 1011,
The printing mechanism 115 is set to 240 dpi, and the process proceeds to the main routine 1100 in step 1210. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are flowcharts showing an example of a cartridge program on the program cartridge.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the cartridge program start processing program 1300. In step 1301, the relative address α from the head of the cartridge area 802 or 803 is read from the main program or the other cartridge program.
The control of the program jumped to address ₀ (steps 1115, 1119, 1411) is performed by referring to the cartridge start address storage area 254 at address ₀ .
_The process jumps to address ₁ and executes the start processing in step 1302 and subsequent steps. At step 1302, the program ID 20
2 is checked, and if it is a predetermined program ID, the cartridge program is determined to be compatible with the present program, and the flow advances to step 1303 to check the memory capacity. In the predetermined cartridge program, the additional RAM card 107 is an essential component, so that a check is performed here. If there is no problem in the memory capacity, in step 1304, the cartridge program interrupt vector table 255 is copied to the interrupt processing jump table 501 on the RAM 105. Next, in step 1305, the free area 510 is initialized for the cartridge program. Next step 1306
In the cartridge storage area (cartridge program A
In this case, the storage ID 601 of the storage area 504 for the cartridge 109 and the storage area 505 for the cartridge 110 in the case of the cartridge program B are checked. If the save ID 601 is empty (remains in the initialized state), the process jumps to step 1310.
Step 1306 If the save ID 601 matches the cartridge ID number 304 of the currently executing cartridge program, this means that the contents of the save area were saved immediately before the previous transition from the cartridge program to the main program. Since the information of the cartridge program is represented, the flow advances to step 1307 to return the contents of the cartridge storage area 504 or 505 to a predetermined location in the free area 510. Step 130
In step 6, if the storage ID 601 does not match the cartridge ID number 304, this means that the program cartridge has been replaced with another one, and a different cartridge program than when the information was stored in the cartridge storage area 504 or 505 last time. Is running, so in step 1308, the status indicator
A warning error is displayed at 901 and the process waits until any switch 902, 903, 904 on the operation panel 112 is pressed at step 1309, and then jumps to step 1310.

At the next step 1310, the Busy signal S2 is turned off to notify the host computer 102 that data transmission is possible, and at step 131
1 displays the cartridge ID number 304 on the status display 901.
In step 1312, using the NVRAM write routine, 'L' (or 'R') is stored as the program mode in the program mode area 701 of the NORAM 106, and in step 1313, 180Dpi selection is specified to the image clock selection port 807. , Switch the image signal generator for 180Dpi. And step 1314
A 180Dpi switching signal is output to the resolution switching signal 116 to set the printing resolution of the printing mechanism unit 105 to 180Dpi. In step 1315, the process proceeds to the main routine 1400 of the cartridge program.
If the condition is not satisfied by the check in steps 1302 and 1303, the process proceeds to step 1314, an error is displayed on the status display 901 and in step 1315 any switch 902, 903, 904 on the operation panel 112 is depressed. Wait, step 1
At 316, jump to the start α ₁ of the main program. FIG. 14 shows an example of the main routine of the cartridge program. Here, for the sake of explanation, the main routine 1400 for the cartridge program A is shown.

First, in step 1401, the program mode switching switch
Check if any of 902, 903, or 904 was pressed. If none has been pressed, the processing of steps 1401-1406 is repeated and continued. First, at step 1402, it is checked whether or not there is data in the reception buffer, and the process waits until the input data from the host computer is set in the reception buffer while performing the switching of step 1401. If there is data in the reception buffer, the process proceeds to step 1403, where the data is first extracted from the reception buffer, and data analysis is performed according to command storage different from the main program. Here, the command or the character code is discriminated. In the case of the font selection command, the designated value is stored in the selection font area 512, and in the case of the copy number designation command, the designated value is stored in the copy number area 513. In the case of a character code, the corresponding font area 258 is selected from the identification code specified in the selection font area 512, and the corresponding dot pattern is developed on the page buffer 517. Then, the process proceeds to step 1404, and steps 1401-1404 are repeated until the analysis of the data of one page is completed. When data analysis for one page is completed,
Proceeding to 1405, the image data on the page buffer 517 is sent to the image signal generator 113, and the printing mechanism unit 115 performs printing. In step 1406, steps 1405 to 1406 are repeated for the number of copies specified in the number-of-copies area 513. When the printing of the specified number of sheets is completed, the process returns to step 1401.

At step 1401, the program mode switching switches 902 and 9
If either 03 or 904 is pressed, step 1407
Proceed to the following program switching process.

At step 1407, it is checked which program mode switching switch has been pressed, and if the "L" switch 903 has been pressed, the cartridge program 109 currently being executed is checked.
This is invalid, and the step
Return to 1401. If the "R" switch 904 was pressed,
The procedure for shifting to the cartridge program 1 following step 1408 is entered. The above-mentioned step 11 of the main program
As in step 01, the cartridge ID code 303 is checked in step 1408, and it is checked whether the cartridge connector 1502 has a valid cartridge program. If a valid cartridge program exists, proceed to step 1409 to save the storage area 504 for the cartridge 109.
In the ID area 601, the cartridge ID number 304 of the currently executing cartridge program A is recorded.
At 0, the contents of the operation mode table 511 on the free area 510 and the contents of the reception buffer 516 are copied to the cartridge 109 storage area 504. Then, CPU101 to car Toritsuji program B that begins via the 400000 + α ₀ address proceed to switch 1411
Transfer control. If it is not confirmed in step 1408 that a valid cartridge program exists, the process returns to step 1401.

If the "MAIN" switch 902 is pressed in step 1407, the process proceeds to steps 1412 and 1413, and the aforementioned steps 1409 and 1413 are performed.
As with 10, cartridge ID number 304 and free area 510
Copy the above required information to the cartridge storage area 504,
Step 1414 by flying to the main body program re-start process 1200 beginning with via b ₀ address.

As described above, of the main program and the cartridge program, the one that has obtained the control right sets the resolution of the image signal generator 113 and the printing mechanism 115 at the beginning of the program so that the print resolution suitable for the user is obtained. By switching, each control program can perform print processing with its own print resolution.

In the above embodiment, in three types of control programs,
Although the print resolution is uniquely set in accordance with each control program, one of a plurality of print resolutions may be selectively set in each control program. In this case, for example, it is possible to emulate a command system capable of designating the resolution by a command from the host computer.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the second and third control means, the program cartridge 109 and the program cartridge 110 are configured to be able to store independent control programs. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The second and third control programs are built into the main unit from the beginning (first
) May be incorporated together with the control program. Second,
When the use frequency of the third control program is high, it is not necessary to replace the cartridge, and the convenience is improved.

Further, in this embodiment, the cartridge program also issues an instruction to the image signal generator 113 and the printing mechanism unit 115 directly to switch the resolution similarly to the main body program.
Similar to the NVRAM read routine 213, the AM write routine 212 prepares a resolution routine on the main body side as an external reference routine, and the cartridge program may indirectly perform resolution switching by calling this routine. When the resolution switching procedure is complicated, the control of creating a cartridge program is simplified,
The resolution switching means is defined as unified for various cartridges, which leads to prevention of program errors.

Also, the print processing on the main program and the cartridge program are the same except for the resolution, so that the same data image is a high-resolution image that requires a little processing time in the main program, and the same data image is used in the cartridge program. Although the time is short, printing can be performed at a low resolution. This makes it possible to switch between control programs with a single printing apparatus according to the purpose of selectively using simple printing and high-quality printing for complex print data.

In the present embodiment, the resolution switching is performed at 180 Dpi, 240 Dpi,
It is limited to three types of 400 Dpi, but not limited to this, the image clock of the image signal generator is set in small increments by a combination of multiple crystal oscillators and frequency dividers, and various resolutions are selected with various cartridge programs May be. This allows
The applicability of the emulate in the cartridge program is increased for printing devices of various resolutions.

As described above, the following effects can be obtained by individually enabling the resolution switching of the printing apparatus for the control means of the plurality of switchable printing apparatuses.

In the case of emulating various printing apparatuses, the same printing effect can be obtained by selecting a resolution that matches the target printing apparatus. On the other hand, compatibility with the original resolution is also possible.

-Conflicting functions of high resolution / high cost and low resolution / low cost can be selectively used by one device according to the purpose.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control unit 100 of a laser beam printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a storage format of a control program stored in a ROM 104 and program cartridges 109 and 110, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the cartridge identification area 251 on FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the product conformity flag 253 of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a data structure view of the RAM 105, and FIG. 7 is a data structure diagram of the NVRAM 106, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an address space of the CPU 101, FIG. 9 is a layout diagram of the operation panel 112, and FIGS. 10 to 12 are flowcharts of the main program. 13 and 14 are flowcharts of the cartridge program, FIG. 15 is an external view of the laser beam printer of the present embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the laser beam printer of the present embodiment. 100 is a control unit, 101 is a CPU, 102 is a host computer, 103 is an input interface circuit, 104 is a ROM, 105 is a RAM, 106 is an NVRAM, 107 is an additional RAM card, 108 is a cartridge interface circuit, 109 and 110 are programs Cartridge, 111 is a panel interface circuit, 112 is an operation panel, 113 is an image generator, 114 is an output interface circuit, 115 is a printing mechanism, 202 is a program ID, 203 is a main program restart address storage area, and 251 Is a cartridge identification area.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-195446 (JP, A) JP-A-61-277256 (JP, A) JP-A-61-277255 (JP, A) JP-A-61-277255 277262 (JP, A) JP-A-59-57337 (JP, A)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing control device for controlling a printing mechanism capable of printing at a plurality of resolutions, each corresponding to a different command system, and controlling the operation of the printing mechanism based on a command from a host computer. Setting means for selecting one of the plurality of types of control means, and each of the plurality of types of control means switching and setting a plurality of resolutions. A print control device, wherein the setting means provided in the control means selected by the selection means sets a resolution in a printing process in the printing mechanism unit. 2. At least one of the plurality of control means.
The first is detachably provided.
The print control device according to the item. 3. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each control means has a different type of control program. 4. A printing apparatus, comprising: the printing control device according to claim 1; and the printing mechanism.